On-the-controversies-around-magu-reported-arrest-and-the-future-hope-on-the-fight-against-corruption
September 7, 2020 | News
ON THE CONTROVERSIES AROUND MAGU’S REPORTED ARREST AND THE FUTURE HOPE ON THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
Ibrahim Magu
Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
It was only yesterday (6/7/20) that we reiterated the reports about the supposed arrest of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, only for Nigerians to be told in yet another round of reports that he was not arrested, but only invited by the presidential panel to answer allegations of corrupt against him. Then only on Tuesday evening, there were yet another report that the embattled acting Chairman of the EFCC, has been suspended from office by the Presidency. The suspension followed the ongoing investigation by a presidential panel headed by Justice Ayo Salami, over alleged weighty 22 allegations contained in a memo by the Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Abubakar Malami. And there are possibilities that the said Panel may recommend his sack.
Like we said earlier, it is very dangerous and should be a great source of concern for all, when someone that was recruited by the Federal Government of Nigeria to fight corruption in low and high places, is now the one defending himself and being investigated. What makes us worry about all of this is the fact that, does this mean who ever is drafted to fight corruption in this country, must be ready to face the wild wolves and be prepared to either eat them or be eaten. This incident brings to mind of the similar fate that befall past Chairmen of the anti-graft agency. Right from the time of its first Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, and down to Mrs. Farida Waziri, Ibrahim Lamorde and then now, Ibrahim Magu, they all had tones of hurdles to cross in their fight against high-profile corruption in this country. it was even more dangerous for Ribadu for instance, whose life was nearly cut short in an attempted assassination. He had to fled the country, only to return when the coast was clear under Goodluck Jonathan. And as noted by Ribadu: “If you fight corruption, corruption will definitely fight you back.”
While we are not here to speak for, or to defend Magu, but many are of the opinion that perhaps, the EFCC boss is being attacked by those high profile and very powerful individuals whose toes he must have stepped on in his fight against corruption. Especially those he recovered loots from, and those his proactiveness had led to their being prosecuted and convicted by Nigeran Courts. But whatever the case may be, all that we ask is that, if anything, Magu should be given a fair and just hearing. And after if all due investigation carried out, and he is found guilty, then he should be made to face the full weight of the law. But if found innocent, then his name should be cleared.
For Magu, he should have expected all of this because those who he has been fighting, will definitely want to fight back due the kind of country we have found ourselves in. As such, he would have ensured that his name and association should never be linked/tied in any way with any trace of corruption. And that is why it is said by an English proverb if am not mistaken, which has become an official saying by the Nigerian lawyers, that: “He who comes into equity must come with clean hands.” In other words, even by simple association with the wrong crowd, can stain one’s integrity in the fight against corruption in this country. But with everything that is going round Magu at the moment, it has greatly put in doubt his integrity in the ongoing fight against corruption. Where does all of this leave us as a nation? This is because, if Magu fails to come back, whomever that will take over from his reign will also have to be ready to fight these wolves in high places, especially if the person choses not to compromise the integrity of that Office as EFCC Chairman. It is only a divine intervention that will help us in this country.
Zik Gbemre.
July 7, 2020.
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
Ibrahim Magu
Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
It was only yesterday (6/7/20) that we reiterated the reports about the supposed arrest of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, only for Nigerians to be told in yet another round of reports that he was not arrested, but only invited by the presidential panel to answer allegations of corrupt against him. Then only on Tuesday evening, there were yet another report that the embattled acting Chairman of the EFCC, has been suspended from office by the Presidency. The suspension followed the ongoing investigation by a presidential panel headed by Justice Ayo Salami, over alleged weighty 22 allegations contained in a memo by the Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Abubakar Malami. And there are possibilities that the said Panel may recommend his sack.
Like we said earlier, it is very dangerous and should be a great source of concern for all, when someone that was recruited by the Federal Government of Nigeria to fight corruption in low and high places, is now the one defending himself and being investigated. What makes us worry about all of this is the fact that, does this mean who ever is drafted to fight corruption in this country, must be ready to face the wild wolves and be prepared to either eat them or be eaten. This incident brings to mind of the similar fate that befall past Chairmen of the anti-graft agency. Right from the time of its first Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, and down to Mrs. Farida Waziri, Ibrahim Lamorde and then now, Ibrahim Magu, they all had tones of hurdles to cross in their fight against high-profile corruption in this country. it was even more dangerous for Ribadu for instance, whose life was nearly cut short in an attempted assassination. He had to fled the country, only to return when the coast was clear under Goodluck Jonathan. And as noted by Ribadu: “If you fight corruption, corruption will definitely fight you back.”
While we are not here to speak for, or to defend Magu, but many are of the opinion that perhaps, the EFCC boss is being attacked by those high profile and very powerful individuals whose toes he must have stepped on in his fight against corruption. Especially those he recovered loots from, and those his proactiveness had led to their being prosecuted and convicted by Nigeran Courts. But whatever the case may be, all that we ask is that, if anything, Magu should be given a fair and just hearing. And after if all due investigation carried out, and he is found guilty, then he should be made to face the full weight of the law. But if found innocent, then his name should be cleared.
For Magu, he should have expected all of this because those who he has been fighting, will definitely want to fight back due the kind of country we have found ourselves in. As such, he would have ensured that his name and association should never be linked/tied in any way with any trace of corruption. And that is why it is said by an English proverb if am not mistaken, which has become an official saying by the Nigerian lawyers, that: “He who comes into equity must come with clean hands.” In other words, even by simple association with the wrong crowd, can stain one’s integrity in the fight against corruption in this country. But with everything that is going round Magu at the moment, it has greatly put in doubt his integrity in the ongoing fight against corruption. Where does all of this leave us as a nation? This is because, if Magu fails to come back, whomever that will take over from his reign will also have to be ready to fight these wolves in high places, especially if the person choses not to compromise the integrity of that Office as EFCC Chairman. It is only a divine intervention that will help us in this country.
Zik Gbemre.
July 7, 2020.
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes